Cherry Picker
Forum Supporter
I have the "Silver Slayer" settings loaded, and I am running stable at 99 sensitivity. I just have yet to get the coil over the right spot yet.
My thoughts on the Minelab Manticore after 50 hours and beyond!
- Thread starter Rattlehead
- Start date
I have the "Silver Slayer" settings loaded, and I am running stable at 99 sensitivity. I just have yet to get the coil over the right spot yet.
Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
Cool. I think the default reactivity is at 1.5. You might try dropping it down to 1 or even 0.5 to get a little more depth if needed.
longbow62
Forum Supporter
Hey Rattle, I'm up to 5 silvers, a silver ring, and a silver Marksmanship medal. I have not even hunted a virgin site or a normal yard permission yet. Some of these came out of severe mixed trash and iron. At first I was kind of disappointed with the Manticore. Mainly I think because it was less like the Equinox than I thought it would be. I didn't think I would have to actually learn it.
Now I think there is a steeper learning curve to actually get a grip on everything it's telling you. I think the Manticore's Programs react a lot differently to targets than the Equinox say in Park1&2. The AT-Gen, LC, and HC programs are not Park1&2 or Field1&2 with different names. I the think the Manticore may be telling you more than the Equinox does about what's in the ground on each swing. Even at a moderate sensitivity it's showing everything in the ground both audibly and visually. The 2D screen is helpful already. It will become more so as I learn the detector better. I have dug at least 3 silvers I might not have dug in the past if it had not been for the screen showing me a visual representation of the target. Not all the coins I have dug were represented by a perfect round dot on the non-ferrous line.
I like AT-HC is less trashy places, and AT-LC in both heavy modern trash and iron. I have lowered my upper and lower ferrous limits, and don't find the iron falsing to be that bad. I've yet to dig a nail I really didn't think was iron to begin with. AT-HC will false more than AT-LC. While AT-LC does not hit high conductors as good as AT-HC does. It still finds silver just fine.
Now I think there is a steeper learning curve to actually get a grip on everything it's telling you. I think the Manticore's Programs react a lot differently to targets than the Equinox say in Park1&2. The AT-Gen, LC, and HC programs are not Park1&2 or Field1&2 with different names. I the think the Manticore may be telling you more than the Equinox does about what's in the ground on each swing. Even at a moderate sensitivity it's showing everything in the ground both audibly and visually. The 2D screen is helpful already. It will become more so as I learn the detector better. I have dug at least 3 silvers I might not have dug in the past if it had not been for the screen showing me a visual representation of the target. Not all the coins I have dug were represented by a perfect round dot on the non-ferrous line.
I like AT-HC is less trashy places, and AT-LC in both heavy modern trash and iron. I have lowered my upper and lower ferrous limits, and don't find the iron falsing to be that bad. I've yet to dig a nail I really didn't think was iron to begin with. AT-HC will false more than AT-LC. While AT-LC does not hit high conductors as good as AT-HC does. It still finds silver just fine.
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Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
That's a good start man! Same here. All of my Manticore silver so far has come from public spots that have already been hunted. I agree that the 'Core gives more target info than the Nox 600 & 800. Three things come to mind right away. Pitch tones, Target Trace, and the 0-99 ID scale all contribute to offering more target info. Then, the frequency sets themselves seem more optimized. I'm enjoying mine. The more I use it, the more I like it.
basstrackerman
Elite Member
Great review. Question... How many good targets have you dug up that were not on the center line ? I mean at least touching the center line in some way? I've used my manticore about 60-75 hours so far and really enjoy it.
Yep. Time for another one of my long-winded reviews. For anyone new to the forum, ridiculously long written reviews are sort of my thing.
The goal is just to share some unbiased thoughts on the new Minelab Manticore, which will hopefully help anyone who may be on the fence about getting one. You’ll get no hype, hate, fluff or any other BS from me. If something sucks, I’m going to say it sucks. If it’s good, I’ll say it’s good. It’s as simple as that.
I’ll be referencing other detectors throughout this review for comparison. Please keep in mind these are just my opinions. You may completely disagree, and that’s fine.
Now I can't speak on beach hunting, gold prospecting or long-term durability but I can offer my opinion on several other things including how it performs for the type of detecting I do, which is looking for coins and relics in the dirt.
This first section is just my initial thoughts after the first 50 hours of use. It’s impossible to learn everything about a metal detector like this one in only 50 hours, and it’s my goal to make this review as complete as possible. I’ll continue to post updates throughout this thread as I get more time on the unit. You’ll be able to read along with my progress as I continue to learn, as well as see input from other users. So, for the full review, be sure to read through the entire thread.
I'll break this down into specifics and give my thoughts on each.
Ergonomics: Let’s start with the control housing and buttons. The outer button layout and overall appearance of the control housing is very reminiscent of the Equinox. The arrangement of the thumb buttons is different, but well placed. Buttons are very responsive and have a good quality feel. I’d prefer to have the power button and side user soft key on the face of the control housing, since these will be used often. It would just be easier to access them with the thumb in my opinion.
Moving down to the handle, it’s a combination of what feels like some type of plastic with a rubber over-molding in the area where the fingers wrap around. The angle feels like its slightly more forward than the Equinox. Very comfortable. It also has a built-in vibration mode which may be helpful when hunting in noisy areas, underwater or for anyone who is hearing impaired.
The Manticore balances well. Even though it’s basically the same weight as the Equinox, it doesn’t feel as nose heavy due to a couple of improvements in geometry. First, on the handle just below the control housing, there’s a little nub that protrudes over the index finger to keep your hand positioned at the proper distance from the bottom of the housing. Next, the new “Scorpion” armrest has a built-in riser that brings your elbow up and positions your arm so that it runs parallel with the shaft.
Speaking of the Scorpion armrest, it’s a big improvement over the one found on the Equinox 600 and 800. It’s easily adjustable and very flexible. I believe they’ve included a similar style of armrest on the new Equinox 700 and 900. Well done.
The new carbon fiber shaft is both lightweight and rigid. It has two adjustable locking cams. The unit collapses down to a very compact size. Having the attachment ears on the shaft rather than the coil was a great idea, though I’ve been having an issue with the coil bolt working loose. This new shaft is a big step up in quality from the Equinox 600 & 800. However, I think Minelab missed the boat on a few of things:
1) The shaft should’ve been keyed in my opinion. What I mean by “keyed” is, it should have been designed in a way that it cannot rotate. Similar to the XP Deus, for example. I don’t like having to visually line up the coil with the control housing every time I use it.
2) It would’ve been nice to have some measurement markings on the shaft, so that we can quickly extend it to our desired position without even thinking about it. Yes, we could always put them on ourselves with a marker, but why not do this from the factory? Such a small simple thing, yet it would’ve been extremely useful! Especially on a detector with a three piece shaft.
3) Minelab has always mounted the shaft in the center of the coil on most of their detectors. This is how it should be, in my opinion. It just balances better and it’s easier to keep the coil level with the ground. For whatever reason, they moved the mounting point slightly to the rear on this one. Not sure why manufacturers do this, but I am not a fan.
4) With how far the shaft can collapse down, the cable can get caught on the cam locks and be a pain to deal with. It sure would’ve been cool if they could’ve figured out a way to put the cable inside the shaft, like they did with the CTX 3030. I know it would require making the shaft diameter slightly larger, but that would’ve been fine with me.
After reading this, it may seem like I'm saying the design isn’t good. That’s not the case at all. This is a very comfortable, well-balanced machine. However, the idea is to point out the positives and negatives... and I do see some room for improvement.
Display: The display on the Manticore is outstanding. It’s large, colored, and super easy to read. Nothing is cramped and everything is large enough that you’re not straining to view it.
The main focal point is the large Target ID with Target Trace just below it. On the left, you can see the frequency being used, along with the sensitivity. Across the top are several icons showing the current program, along with the status for overload, flashlight, tracking, wireless, headphones and battery. On the righthand side is the depth meter.
Like the Equinox, the Manticore’s depth meter shows the depth with arrows or chevrons. Each one represents roughly 2 inches. I would’ve preferred a numeric depth read-out, but that’s just me nitpicking.
The brightness of the display can be set at several levels, or it can be set to auto. When in auto mode, the light sensor on the top right will automatically adjust the brightness based on the available light around you. If you find yourself detecting after dark, it has a build in flashlight.
While we’re on the subject of the display, I have a general request for all detector manufacturers. These plastic film screen protectors are a pain in the ass to install. I somehow managed to screw up every single one of them. How much trouble would it be to include a tempered glass screen protector with these high-end machines? While you’re at it, go ahead and install the damn thing from the factory.
Menu: The Manticore’s user menu is by far the most well thought out, easiest to navigate of any detector I’ve ever used. It literally took me about 5 minutes to scroll through everything, understand where every setting is and what it does. You press the settings button, and the menu comes in on the lefthand side. From there you just use the arrows on the keypad to scroll through the various settings. Simple. I don’t know how else describe it other than to say that all the settings and controls are just laid out in a way that’s super easy to understand and use. Other detector manufactures could learn a thing or two from Minelab in this department. Thinking back to the days of the overly complex menu on machines like the White’s V3i, this is such a HUGE improvement. Very well done!
Battery/Charging: The Manticore has a built-in rechargeable battery. The run time varies depending on the program and features used. I’ve always said that as long as I can hunt all day without needing to recharge, that’s all that really matters to me. I’ve been out on a few all-day hunts with the Manticore, and while it has always made it through the day, I have to admit that the battery level shown on the screen at the end of the day made me a little nervous. If you hunt more than 7 hours or so, or run power hungry programs like High Conductor, it may be a good idea to carry a power bank just in case.
Like the Equinox, the Manticore charges with a cable that magnetically attaches to the back of the control housing. I really like this design and would love to see XP use something like this rather than the cumbersome coil clips and screw on charging attachments that they currently use.
Target ID: The Target ID on the Manticore goes from 0-99 and is very spread out. To give you an idea of what I mean by “spread out”, the range for an IHP to a silver quarter is around 55 to 90. For comparison, on the Deus 2, that same range of coins is covered from around 80-97.
Having a spread ID has some benefits, but it also has some negatives. Being so spread out, you’ll notice more ID variation due to mineralization, and you’ll notice it’s a little less stable when compared to machines like the Deus 2, CTX or Etrac. So, it’s a tradeoff. On the Manticore, you’ll get a better spread to help separate detected targets, but you’ll need to do more mental averaging of the ID #’s to get a good idea of what’s under the coil. The Deus 2 tends to lock on better due to the ID of coins being bunched closer together.
Target Trace: This feature was first seen on the CTX 3030 about a decade ago. Some people wrote it off as a gimmick, but I found it to be a useful tool. As metal detectorists, we’re constantly trying to use calculated info to figure out what’s hidden under the dirt. We use things like sound, discrimination, and target ID to make our best guess on whether or not to dig. Target Trace is just one more tool to add to the arsenal. At a glance, it can show you when you have multiple targets close together, it can tell you if those targets are of different conductivity and can help you avoid digging certain junk targets. No, you can’t see shapes, but you can see different signatures which may give you a hint as to what’s beneath the coil.
To me, the new Target Trace on the Manticore is cleaner and easier to understand than the one found on the CTX 3030. Don’t expect some magic new feature that’s going to show you an outline of the target. That’s not how it works. The 2D map simply shows you where the target plots based on its ferrous and conductive properties. Think of it as a feature that will come in handy occasionally, rather than something you’ll rely on with every signal. It’s just another useful bit of information to help with your dig/don’t dig decision.
Discrimination Patterns & Ferrous Limits: The disc patterns on the Manticore are similar to what some of you may remember on the Etrac and CTX. Targets are either accepted or rejected based on where their FE-CO properties plot on the screen. Small iron targets come in across the top, larger iron at the bottom, and non-ferrous on or near the center line. Ferrous targets can be either accepted or rejected using the Ferrous Limits feature, which is basically like a visual iron bias setting. Discrimination is set by blocking out vertical segments across the VDI scale. Ferrous limits and the Discrimination Pattern are set-up separately in the menu. Works well enough, but I do have one major gripe. You can save four custom Ferrous Limits, but for whatever reason they limited us to only one Discrimination Pattern for each search mode. So, they basically gave us the ability to create awesome custom programs but with no way to save them globally. That’s a real head scratcher for me. Hopefully this is something that can be addressed in a software update.
Tones: The tones on the Manticore can be configured in a variety of different ways via Audio Themes and Target Tones.
Audio Theme
Audio Themes consist of Normal, Enhanced, Depth and Prospecting. Each one with different characteristics.
-From the manual
Normal: The Normal Audio Theme is a good choice for everyday detecting. It gives full sounding audio responses that vary in both pitch and volume.
Enhanced: The Enhanced Audio Theme is similar to Normal, but is optimized for detecting in high EMI scenarios.
Depth: The Depth Audio Them is useful for improved target separation at inland locations that contain high amounts of ferrous trash. (This is very similar to “Pitch” tones on the Deus 2)
Prospecting: The Prospecting Theme is useful when maximum sensitivity to weak targets is beneficial, such as for gold prospecting or hunting for fine jewelry at the beach. This theme is best used at low trash sites.
Normal, Enhanced and Depth have profile settings which can control the amount of modulation (Simple, Medium, and Rich), as well as Threshold Level and Pitch.
Target Tones
Here you can configure the tones in a few different ways: The traditional 1 tone, 2 tones or 5 tones. Meaning the user can break up the ID scale into bins and assign a single pitch to each bin.
Another option is what Minelab calls “All Tones”. This is another way of saying Full Tones. In this mode, each ID # has its own pitch assigned. You can also break up the ID scale into regions, assigning the start and end points for the pitch in each region. Useful for making certain target ranges stand out.
The volume and pitch are user adjustable for both ferrous and non-ferrous targets.
Overall, the tones on the Manticore are highly configurable and pleasant to the ears. However, they aren’t nearly as nuanced or descriptive as the tones on the Deus 2 IMHO.
Pinpointing: As you turn on pinpoint mode and sweep across the target, the detector progressively reduces sensitivity with each sweep until only a very narrow target response is achieved. When in pinpoint mode, you’ll see a bar going across the bottom of the screen. As the center of the coil approaches the target, the bar fills in towards the center. The Manticore’s pinpoint mode works well and is an improvement over the Deus 2 in my opinion. Mainly because there’s no need to press additional buttons to turn it off. If you prefer, the wiggle back method also works well.
Search Modes: The Manticore comes with 3 search modes: All-Terrain, Beach and Gold Field. Each with its own selectable programs which use different combinations of frequencies and other settings geared toward different types of targets or hunting conditions.
General – All-around general-purpose detecting for most targets and conditions.
Fast – Optimized for separation of targets.
Low Conductors – For small or low conductive targets.
High Conductors – Optimized for high conductive targets like silver coins.
Trash Reject – Optimized for maximum rejection of iron trash and foil.
Some people have reported excessive iron falsing with the Manticore. I experienced a little of this myself when using All Terrain High Conductors, but found that in areas with lots of iron, switching over to All Terrain General seems to help. You may notice slightly decreased depth and less stable ID on high conductors when using General.
Depth: In my test bed, the Manticore was easily able to hit all the deep targets that were on the edge of detection with some of my previous detectors like the CTX 3030 and Equinox 800. In good soil, 9” – 10” coins aren’t even a challenge. On my second trip out with the Manticore, I went to a site that has sandy soil and is known for super deep targets. Clad runs all the way down to around 8 inches, and anything silver is well beyond that. I’ve hunted this spot multiple times in the past with my CTX 3030 and my Deus 2 with the 9” coil. Found a lot of silver, but eventually the signals dried up. So, I thought it would be fun to take the Manticore there and see if it could hit any targets that were just out of reach of the other machines. It handles EMI very well and I was able to run the sensitivity as high as 29 at this location. I ended up getting several more deep silver coins, along with an aluminum tax token that was easily 13” deep. To be fair, my Deus 2 was using a 9” coil and the Manticore has an 11” coil. My buddy Kenny came along that day to compare signals on his D2 with 11” coil, and he was able to hit all the same targets that the Manticore hit. You can watch a video of that hunt down below.
Speed: I haven’t done a lot of separation tests, so I can’t say how it compares to some of the other recently released detectors. On the few tests I did, it seemed plenty fast to me.
Headphones: This detector comes with the ML-105 headphones which are definitely a step up from the ones that came with my previous Minelabs. Nice and comfortable with good sound quality and no noticeable latency. They’re not waterproof, so I wouldn’t use them in the rain.
Build Quality: The fit, feel and finish of the Manticore is much improved over the Equinox for sure. No more wobbly shaft. No more worries about broken coil ears. Excellent new arm cuff, and the buttons on the control housing feel great. No complaints so far. We’ll see how it holds up after a year of hard use.
Manticore vs Deus 2: I’m only putting this here because I know someone will ask. If I could only keep one, which would it be? Well, both machines are deep, fast, and loaded with features. The Manticore definitely has the better-looking display and more intuitive menu in my opinion. All that stuff is great, but when it comes right down to it, the things that matter most to me are:
In that order. Audio is #1 on my list because it’s the first thing that stops me in my tracks, and it tells me a lot about the target. More than ID. More than Target Trace or XY. When it comes to audio, the Deus 2 is unmatched in my opinion. When I say it has descriptive audio, what I mean is you can hear the soft edges of a round target. You can hear the roughness of a misshapen target. You can hear the forced sound of iron, even when it falses. No other metal detector I’ve used gives as much audible info as a Deus running Pitch or Full Tones.
- Tones
- ID accuracy and stability
Another thing that’s very high on my list of importance is weight. Especially now that I’m getting older. A lighter machine means I can spend more time hunting before I get tired. More time hunting means more finds. The Manticore isn’t heavy by any means, but it’s still not even in the same ballpark as the Deus. The weight difference isn’t as noticeable when hunting flat ground, but if you’re like me and spend a lot of time hunting in the woods where you’re swinging over un-even ground and constantly maneuvering around trees or brush, the weight of your detector matters.
For those reasons, if I could only keep one, it would be the Deus 2. To be fair, I have hundreds of hours on the D2 and only around 50 on the Manticore. My opinion may change as I get more time on the Minelab, so check back in a couple of months to see where I stand.
Some finds from the first three hunts:
Final Thoughts: So, there you have it. That’s my thoughts on the Minelab Manticore after 50 hours of use. It’s a great detector, with a few things that could be improved. Every metal detector has its faults, and the Manticore is no exception. Overall, it’s exactly what I expected it to be. No regrets with this purchase. I have no ties with Minelab and whether or not you buy this detector doesn't affect me what-so-ever. Everything mentioned above is just my opinion. YMMV.
My Manticore YouTube Vids:
Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
Thanks man! I haven't really kept track of it, but seems like most are either on the centerline or at least just above it. I'll keep an eye on it in the next few hunts and report back.
basstrackerman
Elite Member
Yeah I just got back from another hunt and I've done six targets today I believe that we're just above the line every one of them are junk. I dug two or three that were just below the line every one of them are junk. And if I get good numbers even with a horseshoe button press to open up the screen the tones don't always sound the greatest if I dig them and they're above the line that's usually always a nail and I'm usually guessing that it probably is a nail by the sound of the tone but it seems like that center line is pretty accurate for non-ferrous if something is sticking or crawling to that center line and touching it it seems to be something non-fairest just about every time I rarely get a Ferris target unless it's a really large ferrish target like a '98 or '99 VDI that may be even wrapped around so I can see a blob on the center line at 99 and down there on one that is probably just deep iron I'm assuming I will dig just to try to see what it is but I usually can't even get to it it's something very deep and that's happened maybe a handful of times
Hello,
Great review!
I'm at 25 hours on mine and I agree with the review.
There was an earlier post regarding sensitivity settings. Using the HC and TR modes, machine will get chirpy at 25 but not unstable.
I am able to hit a 10" washington at 17 in my back yard, better at 20.
Did you notice better depth at a higher sens setting above 20?
Thanks,
Tom
Great review!
I'm at 25 hours on mine and I agree with the review.
There was an earlier post regarding sensitivity settings. Using the HC and TR modes, machine will get chirpy at 25 but not unstable.
I am able to hit a 10" washington at 17 in my back yard, better at 20.
Did you notice better depth at a higher sens setting above 20?
Thanks,
Tom
Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
I’ve noticed when I have a coin mixed with iron that a lot of times I’ll get what looks like a tornado. A large blob in the upper limits, then a wedge coming down to form a dark dot on the center line. Not always though. Sometimes it’s just a tight elongated line from the top straight down to the center line. I guess it just depends on what’s next to the coin.
Thanks Tom. I’m also getting good depth with lower sensitivity. I tend to run mine right at the limit of stability because it seems to tag coins on edge with higher levels. That could be my imagination, but I dug a wheat that was standing perfectly on edge at 11” running a 28 sensitivity, so I’ve been running it as high as possible ever since. I need to test lowering the sensitivity on a deep target to see when the signal starts to fade. I’ll do that next time I’m there.
diggindaboot
Elite Member
Rattlehead, by far you write the most comprehensive and thorough reviews. I always prefer to read a review THEN watch the video afterwards.
I'm loving my D2. As you have mentioned its tonal nuances are amazing. I also understand why some won't gel with it and would prefer the Manticore. I'm going to hold off on the Manticore for now though I'll admit, I'm a sucker for new detectors. Your skill level is admirable.
basstrackerman
Elite Member
My post was voice to text lol. The spelling was awful. Glad y'all can read jiberish 
.
.
Cherry Picker
Forum Supporter
LOL. I am the worst at proofreading, and having autocomplete can totally change what you're trying to say. I've looked at some of my posts, after I hit submit of course, and say WTH, I didn't type that?My post was voice to text lol. The spelling was awful. Glad y'all can read jiberish
Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
Thank you sir! Yeah the descriptive audio on the D2 is outstanding. I need to take mine out for a hunt. Been spending all my time with the Manticore lately so I think it's is getting jealous.
I noticed "ferrous" was spelled about 3 different ways. Voice to text really had trouble with that one.My post was voice to text lol. The spelling was awful. Glad y'all can read jiberish
Trashfinder
Forum Supporter
I wanted to ask if you are getting someting similar to what I am. I am using all terrain and sometimes high conductor. Screw caps are hitting high 70's and low 80's , wheat pennies are comig in low 70's. I did not have screw caps above wheats on my 800. Are you getting similar results or is it just my machine?
Laxsaltman
Elite Member
Sounds like Target Trace is comparable to Quick Mask on the ETrac.
Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
Wheats are coming in the low to mid 70s for me. I've had screw caps come in as high as the 80s, depending on the size of them. The smaller normal sized ones have hit in the lower to mid 70s, if memory serves. I've only dug a few of them. I'll try to make note of where the read next time I find some.
Similar I guess, but Target Trace shows a visual of the halos or streaks, rather than masking them out like Quick Mask.
Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
Here are some Target Trace screenshots, along with a description, taken from my videos:
1) 7" silver Rosie with 3 nails in the hole.
2) 8" Merc with some contamination.
3) 8" wheat, clean signal.
4) 7" Barber quarter with 2 nails and other bits of iron.
5) 10" silver Washington quarter, mostly clean signal.
6) 13" Tax Token, clean signal.
7) 6" Mercury dime, some bits of iron in the hole.
1) 7" silver Rosie with 3 nails in the hole.
2) 8" Merc with some contamination.
3) 8" wheat, clean signal.
4) 7" Barber quarter with 2 nails and other bits of iron.
5) 10" silver Washington quarter, mostly clean signal.
6) 13" Tax Token, clean signal.
7) 6" Mercury dime, some bits of iron in the hole.
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basstrackerman
Elite Member
Every single one of those good targets had at least part of the Target Trace hit the center line. I've been noticing similar results as long as it's touching the center line I've got a non-ferrous target. Hopefully as other people get the manticore in their hands I would like to see how many people are digging good coin targets buttons etc that do not fall on that center line.
Rattlehead
Forum Supporter
I’m gonna pay closer attention to it on my next few hunts. I believe you’re right though. Seems like all of my good targets are touching the center line. If that’s the case, then I don’t see any need to run a super low upper ferrous limit.
yatahaze323
Junior Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2020
- Messages
- 57
Thanks for posting the pictures Rattlehead, I was having trouble seeing the target trace in the video. All the places I detect are well hunted and finding stuff in the iron filled areas is where I wasn't sure what to really look for with the target trace.
